JEFFERSON COUNTY

If you are a resident of Jefferson County, Arkansas and wish to apply for a Single Parent Scholarship, read the Application Instructions below. If you are not a resident of this county, click here to locate your county.

You must be a resident of Jefferson County, Arkansas, to apply for Open Scholarship Opportunities listed below. If you are not a resident of this county, click here to locate your county.

Apply for each semester that you wish to receive a scholarship.

Scroll down to review the Eligibility Requirements and list of Required Supporting Documents below.

Click the appropriate application link listed under Open Scholarship Opportunities below. If links are not available, applications are not currently being accepted. Please check back later.

Login to an existing student account or register for a new account. Contact the person listed above if you have forgotten your username or password.

You may save your work, log out, and return later if you cannot finish your application in one sitting. Complete and submit your application and all required supporting documentation by the deadline. Application Deadlines are listed below.

IMPORTANT: All applications are locked after the deadline expires. Be sure to upload any electronic supporting documents to the application prior to submitting it. Students may not edit an application after it has been submitted. Contact the person above if you need to change or add any information on your application.

Application Deadlines:

Spring semester: January 20Deadline extended to Jan 25

Fall semester: September 20

NOTE: If the application due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will revert to the next business day.

Eligibility Requirements:

Resident of Jefferson County, Arkansas, for at least six (6) months prior to application,

Single head of household (single, divorced, widowed, or widower) with sole custody of one or more children under the age of eighteen (18). Separation by legal decree or otherwise is not accepted.

A high school graduate or recipient of a GED.

Currently pursuing an undergraduate or vocational degree or certification. Applicants that have previously earned an undergraduate degree are not eligible for this scholarship, with the exception of those pursuing graduate teaching degrees (e.g., M.A., M.S., or M.Ed.).

Recipient of a Pell Grant. If you are not eligible for a Pell Grant, you will be required to provide an explanation of your ineligibility.

If attending college for the first time, must have attained a cumulative 2.50 GPA or better in high school at the time of graduation. If a current college student, must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better in all college coursework, including the current semester.

Must be enrolled in at least nine (9) credit hours of college coursework. If attending an institution not using the semester system, please call JCSPSF to verify your eligibility for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund.

Required Supporting Documentation:

Submit the items listed below by uploading them to your online application or by mailing them to the JCSPSF Awards Committee. Items submitted electronically may be uploaded through the Supporting Documents section of your online application. Any documentation sent by mail must be POSTMARK DATE OF NO LATER THAN the scholarship deadline to be accepted. Items mailed with insufficient postage or C.O.D. will not be accepted.

Be sure to upload any electronic supporting documents you plan to submit with your application prior to submitting it. Students may not edit an application after it has been submitted. Contact the person above if you need to change or add any information to your application.

A completed online application form,

Document(s) verifying (a) your status as head of household, and (b) your residence in Jefferson County for at least six (6) months prior to your scholarship application. Contact us if you are unable to verify your status or residence. Examples of eligibile verification include:

Letter or statement from a utility company verifying an account in your name for the past six (6) months,

Copy of a paid Jefferson County Real Estate Tax receipt for the previous year,

Copy of a paid Jefferson County Personal Property Tax receipt from previous year,

Copy of a signed lease in your name for housing in Jefferson County that is dated at least 6 months prior to your scholarship application.

Note: If you cannot provide any of the above documentation but still feel you qualify as head of the household, contact JCSPSF for further information.

Copy of your most recent academic transcript that includes all coursework completed to date.

If attending college or vocational school for first time, provide a complete high school transcript(s) that includes your cumulative GPA.

If a returning college or vocational student, provide complete transcript(s) of all college coursework that applies toward your current degree. Transcripts must include your cumulative GPA. If you are attending an institution that does not use the semester system, please call the JCSPSF to verify your scholarship eligibility.

Verification of your current enrollment from the Registrar of your college or vocational school. This scholarship must be used during the semester for which you are applying.

Three (3) letters that are typed, dated, and contain original signatures by people who are familiar with your character and goals. References from relatives will not be accepted. Each letter must identify the reference’s relationship to you. Electronic copies or letters more than three (3) months old will not be accepted. The three letters must be from:

a current or former employer,

a college or vocational instructor or advisor, and

a character reference or reference that can speak about your volunteerism or community service experience).

A personal statement of your goals. This statement will be evaluated by the Awards Committee, and will be reviewed for grammar, punctuation, spelling, completeness, formatting, and overall quality. Failure to follow the instructions below may result in denial of your application. Submit a typed personal statement that includes all of the following:

Identify two (2) of your long-term educational, personal, or career goals. (Example: “I will become the head of my company’s graphics design department”)

Break each long-term goal into several short-term goals that you hope to accomplish within a shorter amount of time. (Example: A short-term goal needed to accomplish becoming the head of the graphics design department would be “I will learn how to use my company’s new graphics software”)

For each short-term goal, include a specific deadline by which you plan to accomplish the goal (Example: “I will learn the graphics design software by the end of next month”).

For each short-term goal, describe how you plan to accomplish it (Example, “I will enroll in a graphics design course”).

Proof of Pell Grant award. Apply for the Pell Grant at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. To verify proof of a Pell Grant, provide either of the following: 1) an award letter from your school's financial aid office, or 2) a copy of your Student Aid Report or other documentation verifying receipt of your Pell Grant. If you are not eligible for a Pell Grant, you must provide a written explanation of your ineligibility. This explanation will be reviewed by the Awards Committee, and does not guarantee approval.

Note: The Awards Committee reserves the right to require additional information such as proof of income, child custody, marital status, and/or copies of official transcripts to verify eligibility should the committee deem it necessary.

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Tip:
To apply for a Single Parent Scholarship in this county, students may only use the application provided by this SPSF affiliate. Applications from other SPSF affiliates are not accepted in this county.